Scientists discovered that substances produced by a common food bacteria called Lactococcus lactis might help slow down brain cancer cells in laboratory experiments. These substances, called postbiotics, are created when bacteria break down food in our digestive system. In this study, researchers tested these postbiotics on human brain cancer cells and found they stopped cancer cells from growing and spreading. Importantly, the postbiotics didn’t harm healthy brain cells, suggesting they might target only cancer cells. While these results are exciting, this is very early research done only in test tubes, so much more testing is needed before doctors could use this approach to treat patients.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether substances made by a type of food bacteria could slow down or kill brain cancer cells in laboratory dishes
  • Who participated: This was laboratory research using human brain cancer cells and healthy brain cells grown in dishes—no people or animals were involved in this particular study
  • Key finding: Postbiotics (substances produced by Lactococcus lactis bacteria) significantly reduced the growth of brain cancer cells and stopped them from spreading, while leaving healthy brain cells unharmed
  • What it means for you: This is very early-stage research showing promise, but it’s only been tested in lab dishes so far. It’s too soon to say whether this could become a treatment for people with brain cancer. Many more studies are needed before any clinical use.

The Research Details

Researchers took a common food bacteria called Lactococcus lactis and collected the substances it produces when it breaks down food (called postbiotics). They then exposed human brain cancer cells growing in laboratory dishes to these postbiotics and measured what happened. They used several different testing methods to check if the cancer cells stopped growing, including counting living cells, looking at cell cycles under a microscope, and watching how fast cancer cells could move and spread. They also tested whether these postbiotics affected healthy brain cells to make sure they weren’t causing damage to normal tissue.

Testing in laboratory dishes is the first step in drug discovery. It helps scientists understand if a substance has any potential before spending time and money on more expensive animal and human studies. This approach is important because it’s quick, controlled, and lets researchers understand exactly how the substance affects cancer cells at a cellular level.

This is preliminary laboratory research, which is the earliest stage of scientific investigation. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed it before publication. However, because this is only test-tube research with no human participants, the results cannot yet be applied to treating real patients. The findings are promising but need confirmation through additional studies.

What the Results Show

The postbiotics from the Lactococcus lactis bacteria significantly reduced how many brain cancer cells were alive and growing. When researchers looked at the cancer cells under a microscope using special staining techniques, they confirmed that fewer cells were dividing and multiplying. Using flow cytometry (a machine that counts and analyzes cells), they found that the postbiotics caused cancer cells to stop progressing through their normal growth cycle, essentially freezing them in place. This suggests the postbiotics work by preventing cancer cells from dividing rather than just killing them outright.

The researchers also tested whether the postbiotics could stop cancer cells from moving and spreading to other areas—a key feature of dangerous cancers. They found that the postbiotics significantly slowed down this migration. Importantly, when they tested the postbiotics on healthy brain cells (called astrocytes) and on the blood-brain barrier (the protective layer that controls what enters the brain), these normal cells were not harmed. This selectivity—affecting cancer cells but not healthy cells—is exactly what scientists hope to find in potential cancer treatments.

Recent scientific research has shown that certain bacteria in our gut may help protect against cancer, though the exact mechanisms are still being studied. This research adds to that growing body of evidence by identifying specific substances (postbiotics) from a common food bacteria that show anti-cancer properties. Previous studies have shown that probiotics and their byproducts can have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects; this study extends those findings to suggest potential direct anti-cancer activity.

This study has several important limitations. First, it was conducted only in laboratory dishes, not in living organisms, so the results may not translate to how the body would respond. Second, the sample size and specific details about the cell lines used were not fully specified in the abstract. Third, this is preliminary research that has not yet been tested in animals or humans. Fourth, the study doesn’t explain the exact mechanism of how postbiotics stop cancer cells, which would be important for developing treatments. Finally, more research is needed to determine if different strains of bacteria produce different effects and whether the postbiotics would survive digestion if taken by mouth.

The Bottom Line

At this stage, there are no clinical recommendations for patients. This is basic research that shows promise but is far too preliminary to suggest any dietary changes or treatments. People with brain cancer should continue following their doctor’s established treatment plans. Future research may eventually lead to new treatment options, but that is likely years away.

Researchers studying cancer and probiotics should care about these findings as they suggest a promising new direction for investigation. People interested in the potential health benefits of probiotics may find this interesting as it adds to the growing evidence of their benefits. However, people with cancer should not change their treatment based on this research. Healthcare providers treating brain cancer should be aware of this emerging research area but should not yet incorporate it into patient care.

This is extremely early-stage research. If these findings hold up in future studies, it would typically take 10-15 years of additional research (laboratory studies, animal studies, and human clinical trials) before any potential treatment could become available to patients. Realistic expectations are that this is the beginning of a long research journey, not an imminent breakthrough.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in gut health could track their probiotic food intake (yogurt, kefir, fermented foods) and note any digestive changes or energy levels over 4-week periods to establish personal baseline patterns
  • Add one serving of naturally fermented foods containing Lactococcus lactis (such as certain yogurts or cheese) to daily diet and log it in the app, while tracking overall digestive wellness and energy levels
  • Create a 12-week tracking log of probiotic food consumption and general wellness markers (digestion, energy, mood) to identify personal patterns, with monthly reviews to assess any perceived benefits

This research describes laboratory experiments only and has not been tested in humans. These findings are preliminary and should not be used to guide treatment decisions for cancer or any other medical condition. Anyone with cancer or at risk for cancer should consult with their healthcare provider about evidence-based treatment options. Consuming probiotic foods is generally safe for most people, but those with compromised immune systems should discuss probiotic use with their doctor first. This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.